I need some advice for treating an injured chicken...

[Mrs. Overall]

One of my chickens was attacked by a dog yesterday. He caught her, tried to carry her out of the yard, and was violently shaking her. I screamed, picked up a shovel and chased him until he let her go, but she's injured. She's getting around alright, is eating a little bit and drinking some water, but most of the feathers are gone from her back and belly. She has puncture marks on her back and breast from the dog's teeth and some surface cuts where her feathers were torn out.

This is my worry--that her wounds will become infected. I have no idea how to treat her--should I put something on the wounds like Neosporin? Is there an antibiotic I can slip into the water? She's very traumatized and she's not wanting to be touched, so I'm not sure I could even catch her to put something directly on the wounds. Is infection likely or am I just stewing about nothing?

I have five hens and a rooster which I've hand raised and they are like pets to me.

I would hate for her to have survived this vicious attack only to die from an infection.

Thank you for any advice!

[Frosty1]

1. When my dog caught our parakeet

I put an over the counter antibiotic on her and put her in her cage and covered it for a few hours. Except for the black eye she was fine the next day. :shrug:

[Mrs. Overall]

3. My problem is catching her--she's really traumatized, she's large, and she has sharp nails --

I may try catching her again and putting Neosporin on her.

I guess I'm also wondering if infection is very likely or whether I can risk just letting her heal without intervention.

Thanks for the suggestion and I'm glad to hear your bird was ok.

[bvar22]

14. Don't try to catch her in the daylight.

Wait until after dark, after she goes to roost, and very gently pick her up holding her wings closed. You might talk softly and soothingly while handling her. Use a small penlight to examine her. This will be easier with two people.

There are also antibiotics available at your feed store.

I don't know about topical ointments.

[the other one]

2. These folks should know

I bring injured birds I find to them.

http://www.tristatebird.org/contact

[Mrs. Overall]

6. Thanks for link.

This might be just for wild birds, but I'll check it out.

Thanks!

[belpejic]

4. Take her to a vet

You are right to suspect that the greatest threat is infection. I don't know much about chickens, but I now a lot about pigeons and other birds. Even if you just call a vet for advice, do it. It doesn't sound like your bird is at risk, but dog mouths contain some nasty bacteria. Good luck, and best of wishes for your bird!

[Mrs. Overall]

7. I'm considering that, too.

We're just not in a position to pay a vet bill right now, but perhaps I could call and either get advice on the phone or I could bring her in with the pre-arranged understanding that I can't pay their usual outrageous prices. Our local vet's office is a rip-off.

That's exactly what concerns me--the bacteria from the dog.

Thanks for your good wishes!

[snappyturtle]

5. I, too, have had a chicken attacked by a dog....grr! Actually, I've had 3 killed.

We couldn't touch our injured one either.....she ate and drank and healed. It took months for her feathers to return to normal though.

[Mrs. Overall]

8. Glad to hear that she healed without a lot of intervention.

Chickens have a tough life when it comes to predators. One of mine was attacked last summer by an osprey and she survived (lost a ton of feathers, but no visible wounds).

[Bluerthanblue]

9. the danger of infection is probably higher from what she might lay in

now that she's missing feathers. I wouldn't put anything in the water- Do use farm-store layer pellets/mash? Often times it is already medicated with a 'cyln' unless you intentionally buy feed that isn't-

The fact that she's eating and drinking is good- I'd keep a close eye on her- especially with that dog around. He'll likely come back and try again- Years ago, I chased a fox who had one of my Banty roosters in his mouth, roo got away and ran under the barn, when I got him out, his entire set of tail feathers were gone- it was really odd, without them he kept looking like he was going to fall over frontwards- and they never grew back. (he lived several more years). I've had chickens since I was a kid- and my Dad before me, and his before him- etc. I don't think neosporin would hurt- but not sure it would help a whole lot either.


We too, have a tiny flock now- and keep them in a movable pen/yard, because of the problem with fox and coyote- It's more work for us, but less worrisome-

I hope she does fine- I think she will- I also hope the dog learns to stay away- it's instinct- but that doesn't help much.

:hi:

[Mrs. Overall]

10. Great point about the layer pellet! Yes, I use a pellet that isn't specifically

organic, so it probably does contain some sort of antibiotic. I really don't want to traumatize her further with topical medication if I can help it.

I'm definitely keeping an eye out. They've been locked in their yard all day--yesterday I had let them out to free range--I've never had a problem before, but this dog showed up and went after all of them. Fortunately when he saw a crazy, screaming lady coming at him with a heavy shovel, he dropped the chicken and ran for his life.

Interesting that your rooster never regrew his tail feathers!

That's great that you family has a history of raising chickens. I'm a novice with poultry, but am completely enjoying the experience. I love their various personalities and have been surprised at how smart they can be and the interaction within a flock.

Thanks for the help!

[Kali]

11. much easier to catch chickens at night

I'd be a little concerned about the rooster re-injuring her back than anything. Do you have a cage or second pen you could isolate her in for a week or so?

The feather loss isn't that big of a deal, but deeper wounds might be worth watching and keeping clean (good old soap and water is easiest)

and a little extra warmth is always good for sick/injured birds of any kind.

[Mrs. Overall]

12. Great suggestion. I just isolated her in a small pen this morning--

My problem isn't the rooster--he's a tiny bantam (she's a standard size Ameraucana), but the other hens are picking on her because she is now the weakest among them. Yesterday they were keeping her from the food, so I've now set up a smaller grazing pen with food, water, and a dark box for her to rest in.

I'm going to look at her wounds again today. She's limping and favoring one side of her body, but otherwise still seems bright-eyed and alert considering what she went through.

Thanks so much for the suggestion--I think she'll have a restful day in her new pen.

[Kali]

13. ah - well, she will have a much better chance being left alone

plus if you decide to medicate her water it will be easier. By the way, any med in the feed isn't enough to take care of infection, so if she looks like that is happening you need to get something else and it is easiest to give it as drinking water if you can't do injections. Ask at the feed store or if you have access to a reasonable vet they can give you a product recommendation.

[Mrs. Overall]

15. Thank you for all of your advice! It's been well over a week and she is acting completely normal--

I kept an eye on her for infection, separated her from the rest of the flock, caught her to look at her wounds at night, and simply gave her time to heal. Except for one of her feet turning slightly inward and the missing feathers, she seems just fine--she is up and about, interacting with the other chickens and rightfully bullying for her share of the kitchen scraps. Chickens are amazingly resilient.

Thanks again for your help!

[truedelphi]

16. That is very good news. Glad tohear it.

One of the surprises we made when we moved to the rural area of California, is how many people are attached to their chickens as pets.

I have met a couple of people who claim that a certain chicken was the best pet they have ever had - better than a dog or cat.